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calendar_month Aug 12, 2026

Chuck Schumer Demands Senate Briefing After Reported Trump Turkey Evacuation Amid Iranian Threat: ‘Congress Was Kept In the Dark’

On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded an immediate Senate briefing after reports that President Donald Trump was secretly evacuated from Turkey amid security concerns linked to Iran.

Schumer Demands Senate Briefing

In a post on X, Schumer said, “The Senate should be immediately briefed on the Iranian threats against the President, the extraordinary measures taken to get him out of Turkey, any risks posed to U.S. personnel, and any threat to the homeland.”

“It is unacceptable that Congress was kept in the dark and instead learned about this serious threat through press reports,” he added.

Schumer also criticized Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, accusing the president of putting Americans “in harm’s way” by entering what he called an “unnecessary and reckless war.”

He argued that Congress must “reassert its constitutional authority and bring this conflict to an end,” while accusing Republicans of prioritizing “Trump’s luxury and vanity over America’s security.”

Kelly, Pritzker Slam Trump Over Secret Plane Switch

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) criticized President Trump over his reported secret switch from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft amid an alleged Iranian threat.

Kelly said, “Cowards look out for themselves. Leaders look out for their people.”

In CNN interview, Pritzker said Trump “put people in harm’s way to save himself.”

Trump Secretly Switched Aircraft

The President reportedly secretly switched from Air Force One to a smaller Air Force C-32A while leaving Ankara amid a credible Iranian assassination threat during the NATO summit.

Reportedly, journalists and some White House staff unknowingly remained aboard Air Force One as decoys, while Trump traveled separately.

Trump later said the flight was “dangerous” and that he was under threat “all the time.”

Trump, Iran Trade Demands

On Monday, Trump demanded compensation from Iran for deaths and injuries, saying it would be included in “any, and all, future negotiations.”

Iran had similarly demanded compensation, an end to sanctions and military threats, and removal of the U.S. blockade before reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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